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Difference between revisions of "World File Editing Tools - M2TW"

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(System Requirements)
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{{M2TW Modding Logo}}
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
No modding tools were supplied by CA to access the World files that make up battle map settlements and ambient buildings.  Some user developed tools have been made however, predominantly by [[KnightErrant]] based on research findings by [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/member.php?u=35169 Argantonio] in the [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=166329 World Modified thread].
+
No modding tools were supplied by CA to access the World files that make up battle map settlements and ambient buildings.  Some user developed tools have been made however, predominantly by [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/member.php?2026-wilddog wilddog] and [[KnightErrant]] based on research findings by [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/member.php?u=35169 Argantonio] in the [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=166329 World Modified thread].
  
All the .world type files can be opened, viewed and edited with a [[Hex Editor]] - unfortunately that is a difficult, and for anything much more than changing an internal file name or folder path, largely impractical solution.
+
All the .world type files could be opened, viewed and edited with a [[Hex Editor]] - unfortunately that is a difficult, and for anything much more than changing an internal file name or folder path, largely impractical solution.
  
==System Requirements==
+
==IWTE==
These user developed tools utilise the Python free open source software development system. Like other modding tools (texture to dds, and stringsbin convertors) use of these tools requires you to install Python modules on your computer as well as the tool itselfFor these tools a Pythonxy installation with PyQt4 is required, a working Mayavi2 installation (which should come with those) will allow you to view 3d versions of the structures without saving to ms3d.
+
*see main article [[IWTE]]
 +
[http://www.twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?2047-The-IWTE-Project The IWTE Project] by Wilddog now allows editing of all the .world files associated with settlements and other buildings on the battle-map, also vegetation.db and geography.db files and provides conversion options for static strat map models.
 +
The program is provided in .exe format so does not require a Python install.  [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2603 Download here]
  
===Recommended Python Installation===
+
==Superceded Tools==
*install python(x,y) first - a large variety of download versions are available at [http://www.pythonxy.com/download.php pythonxy.com]
+
Previous tools are as follows:
::eg: run file Python(x,y)-CE-2.1.3.exe that comes with Python(x,y)-ETS-3.0.2.2
 
::example installation path C:\pythonxy
 
 
 
*install PyQt available from http://www.riverbankcomputing.co.uk into \pythonxy\python folder
 
::eg: download and run file [http://www.riverbankcomputing.co.uk/static/Downloads/PyQt4/PyQt-Py2.5-gpl-4.4.3-1.exe PyQt-Py2.5-gpl-4.4.3-1.exe]
 
::example installation path C:\pythonxy\python
 
 
 
Check that WorldEditor programs open at this stage
 
 
 
*if you wish to use Mayavi2, you should now be able to find it in C:\pythonxy\python\Scripts - run the mayavi2.exe and follow  [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4232030#post4232030 these instructions] to run the world editor programs through the mayavi interface.  If you are unable to view 3d structures in the mayavi view box you may have a version of mayavi which doesn't support triangles properly.  Try the download suggested [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4228604#post4228604 here]
 
 
 
*If you have difficulty getting a python installation to work you may need to refer to the [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=166329 World Modified] thread for advice.  The  tools listed below may not necessarily be compatible with the latest editions of Python.
 
 
 
==Current Tools==
 
Current tools are as follows:
 
  
 
===.World File===
 
===.World File===
Latest editor: [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2596 WorldEditor_v0_8] by KnightErrant
+
Latest editor: [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2668 WorldEditor_v0_9] by KnightErrant
:modified version of previous releases, fixed to work with more of the Kingdoms files.
+
:modified version of previous releases, with minor bug fixes
 +
:fixed to work with more of the Kingdoms files.
 +
:allows export and import of ms3d (Milkshape) files for the 3d structures.
 +
:allows editing of the table elements either through form interface or via export and import of full text file version of the .world file.
 +
:does not currently allow the addition or subtraction of groups - only alteration of existing 3d groups.
  
 
===.WorldCollision File===
 
===.WorldCollision File===
Editor: [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2250 WCeditor_beta.zip] by KnightErrant
+
Editor: [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2667 WCeditor_v1.2.zip] by KnightErrant
:allows viewing, export and substitution of the 3d models that make up the collision objects, and allows editing of the text elements of the file.  (number of collision objects can not be changed currently)
+
:allows viewing, export and substitution of the 3d models that make up the collision objects, and allows editing of the text elements of the file.  Allows conversion of file to text and back, which makes copying and pasting in new collision entry's possible.
  
 
===.WorldPathfinding File===
 
===.WorldPathfinding File===
Line 44: Line 36:
 
:allows the .worldterrain heights to be modified in a graphical interface using colours to represent heights.
 
:allows the .worldterrain heights to be modified in a graphical interface using colours to represent heights.
  
===.WorldVegetation File===
+
===System Requirements===
Converter: [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=2603 Integrated World Terrain Editor] by Wilddog
+
These older user-developed tools utilise an old version of the Python free open source software development system.  Like other modding tools (texture to dds, and stringsbin convertors) use of these tools requires you to install Python modules on your computer as well as the tool itself. For these tools a Pythonxy installation with PyQt4 is required, a working Mayavi2 installation (which should come with those) will allow you to view 3d versions of the structures without saving to ms3d.  '''Due to incompatibility between Python versions these tools need a version earlier than v2.7 or they will fail to launch or crash during processing.'''
:allows conversion of the .worldVegetation file to tga and backAlso includes components based on the above editors by KE with additional functionality to resize the pathfinding, terrain and vegetation files, work on terrain heights via grayscale tga, and adjust blending of heights where terrain tile meets surrounding map generated heights.
+
 
 +
====Recommended Python Installation====
 +
*install python(x,y) first - a large variety of download versions are available at [http://www.pythonxy.com/download.php pythonxy.com]
 +
::eg: run file Python(x,y)-CE-2.1.3.exe that comes with Python(x,y)-ETS-3.0.2.2 ; direct link to ETS-3.0.2.2 [http://pythonxy.googlecode.com/files/Python%28x,y%29-ETS-3.0.2.2.zip download]
 +
::example installation path C:\pythonxy
 +
 
 +
*install PyQt available from http://www.riverbankcomputing.co.uk into \pythonxy\python folder
 +
::eg: download and run file [http://www.riverbankcomputing.co.uk/static/Downloads/PyQt4/PyQt-Py2.5-gpl-4.4.3-1.exe PyQt-Py2.5-gpl-4.4.3-1.exe]
 +
::example installation path C:\pythonxy\python
 +
 
 +
Check that WorldEditor programs open at this stage
 +
 
 +
*if you wish to use Mayavi2, you should now be able to find it in C:\pythonxy\python\Scripts - run the mayavi2.exe and follow  [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4232030#post4232030 these instructions] to run the world editor programs through the mayavi interface.  If you are unable to view 3d structures in the mayavi view box you may have a version of mayavi which doesn't support triangles properly.  Try the [http://pythonxy.googlecode.com/files/EnthoughtToolSuite-3.1.0.2.exe EnthoughtToolSuite-3.1.0.2.exe] download suggested by CLRS530 [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?p=4228604#post4228604 here]
 +
 
 +
*If you have difficulty getting a python installation to work you may need to refer to the [http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=166329 World Modified] thread for adviceThe tools listed above are not compatible with the latest editions of Python.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
 
  
[[Category:Battle Map Modification - M2TW]]
+
[[Category:M2TW Battle Map Modding]]

Latest revision as of 03:43, 26 May 2020

M2TW Modding Index


Overview

No modding tools were supplied by CA to access the World files that make up battle map settlements and ambient buildings. Some user developed tools have been made however, predominantly by wilddog and KnightErrant based on research findings by Argantonio in the World Modified thread.

All the .world type files could be opened, viewed and edited with a Hex Editor - unfortunately that is a difficult, and for anything much more than changing an internal file name or folder path, largely impractical solution.

IWTE

  • see main article IWTE

The IWTE Project by Wilddog now allows editing of all the .world files associated with settlements and other buildings on the battle-map, also vegetation.db and geography.db files and provides conversion options for static strat map models. The program is provided in .exe format so does not require a Python install. Download here

Superceded Tools

Previous tools are as follows:

.World File

Latest editor: WorldEditor_v0_9 by KnightErrant

modified version of previous releases, with minor bug fixes
fixed to work with more of the Kingdoms files.
allows export and import of ms3d (Milkshape) files for the 3d structures.
allows editing of the table elements either through form interface or via export and import of full text file version of the .world file.
does not currently allow the addition or subtraction of groups - only alteration of existing 3d groups.

.WorldCollision File

Editor: WCeditor_v1.2.zip by KnightErrant

allows viewing, export and substitution of the 3d models that make up the collision objects, and allows editing of the text elements of the file. Allows conversion of file to text and back, which makes copying and pasting in new collision entry's possible.

.WorldPathfinding File

Editor: WPFeditor_v1_0.zip by KnightErrant

allows blocked or non-blocked areas of the terrain tile to be modified in a graphical interface.

.WorldTerrain File

Converter: WTconverter_v1_0 by KnightErrant

allows information from the .worldterrain file to be converted to form a Milkshape ms3d file of the terrain tile for modification, and converts Milkshape files back to .worldterrain.

Editor: WTeditor_v1_0.zip by KnightErrant

allows the .worldterrain heights to be modified in a graphical interface using colours to represent heights.

System Requirements

These older user-developed tools utilise an old version of the Python free open source software development system. Like other modding tools (texture to dds, and stringsbin convertors) use of these tools requires you to install Python modules on your computer as well as the tool itself. For these tools a Pythonxy installation with PyQt4 is required, a working Mayavi2 installation (which should come with those) will allow you to view 3d versions of the structures without saving to ms3d. Due to incompatibility between Python versions these tools need a version earlier than v2.7 or they will fail to launch or crash during processing.

Recommended Python Installation

  • install python(x,y) first - a large variety of download versions are available at pythonxy.com
eg: run file Python(x,y)-CE-2.1.3.exe that comes with Python(x,y)-ETS-3.0.2.2 ; direct link to ETS-3.0.2.2 download
example installation path C:\pythonxy
eg: download and run file PyQt-Py2.5-gpl-4.4.3-1.exe
example installation path C:\pythonxy\python

Check that WorldEditor programs open at this stage

  • if you wish to use Mayavi2, you should now be able to find it in C:\pythonxy\python\Scripts - run the mayavi2.exe and follow these instructions to run the world editor programs through the mayavi interface. If you are unable to view 3d structures in the mayavi view box you may have a version of mayavi which doesn't support triangles properly. Try the EnthoughtToolSuite-3.1.0.2.exe download suggested by CLRS530 here
  • If you have difficulty getting a python installation to work you may need to refer to the World Modified thread for advice. The tools listed above are not compatible with the latest editions of Python.